Newcomb running into his prime

Tuesday

Doyle mowed lawns for the school district, and as he went from place to place he occasionally crossed paths with Parker Newcomb, who was training for the upcoming season.

“I’ve actually seen him running around town quite a bit, which is awesome,” Doyle said. “It’s really been getting me excited all summer, thinking about it.

“The way he finished off (track season) has me thinking we can do some really good things.”

Newcomb was the Toreadors’ top cross-country runner in 2018, but made serious strides in the spring.

He continued to drop times and eventually placed 13th in the 1,600 meters at the State Track Championships, with a personal-best 4 minutes, 38.27 seconds.

“He killed it on the track scene,” Doyle said. “Surprisingly, along with Parker, there were some other kids who didn’t come out for cross country who were within a couple minutes of him.

“A couple of those guys are coming out (this summer), which is awesome.”

Also returning to the Toreadors’ roster will be Grayson Strouse, a senior who was Boone’s No. 2 runner a year ago.

“He’s really surprised me as well,” Doyle said of Strouse. “He’s really stepped up. He told me at the end of the season last year, ‘Coach, I really, really want to make State. Parker and I really want to make State as a duo.’’’

Austin McCloud ran No. 3 a year ago and on the track was clocked at 2:20 in the 800 and 5:19.42 in the 1,600.

Ajay Arringdale was a hurdler who qualified for State as part of Boone’s 4x400 relay.

A couple freshmen could also contribute, including Nathaniel Winter.

“He’s a heck of an athlete,” Doyle said of Winter. “We have two or three freshmen who are probably going to be gunning for a varsity spot.

“They’re really competitive kids. They’re hard working kids, who just want to be the best they can be.”

Boone will draw from a deeper roster, which adds to the enthusiasm. The Toreadors have 24 runners out this year, compared to 15 in 2018.

“For me, it’s completely different,” said Doyle, who is entering his second year as coach. “Last year, I was definitely nervous going into it… it was completely new to me.

“For whatever reason, I’m really, really excited to get this season going,” he added. “Part of it has to do with we have a really fun bunch of guys.”

Doyle, who spent time talking with other area coaches, trading tips and philosophies, is also fueled by the positive vibe of his team.

It starts with Newcomb, a junior who appears to be entering his prime.

“I have high expectations for him and I know he does, too,” Doyle said. “I think he’s going to be able to take his training up a notch.

“My big thing for him is, I don’t want him to go out too hard at the beginning and kill himself before District and hopefully State.”